Abernathy grew from its agricultural roots
The city of Abernathy was built because of the Santa Fe Railroad. Constructed in the 1900s, Abernathy is a small rural city that was established as the halfway point between Plainview and Lubbock, and the newly established town was a stop on the railroad. Area farmers and livestock ranchers took advantage of Abernathy’s access to train service to ship their goods to larger cities. Abernathy started out as a major cotton and grain producer, with the Plains Grain Company silo serving area ranchers and farmers since 1920. Today, agriculture still plays a part in this tight-knit community of around 2,800 residents, with cattle and dairy farms all around the area. But there is far more to this community on the Texas plains than agriculture. With low-cost housing, highly rated schools and a centrally located highway that makes it easy to travel between the counties of Hale and Lubbock, it’s little wonder why Abernathy was rated by Niche as the best suburb in Texas in which to buy a home. “Many residents are born and raised here,” interim city manager LeAnn Gallman says. “Some moved away, only to come back and raise their own families here. Lots of people are looking for a smaller community to raise their family, and they find that in Abernathy.”
Traditional and ranch-style homes with rural appeal
The majority of homes here sit west of the highway, with the local high school dividing houses between the northern and southern ends. Ranch-style homes are common here, as the single-story design makes it easier for occupants to keep the interior cool during the hot Texas summer. Despite the typically uniform home design, prices range significantly. Smaller fixer-uppers built on arid land with dirt roads and chain link fences typically cost between $25,000 and $100,000. Single-story traditional and ranch-style homes are can fetch from $100,000 to $400,000. Larger four-bedroom homes with 1-acre lots and sunrooms are priced between $400,000 and $700,000. The median sale price in Abernathy is $230,000 and buyers should expect to pay an average of $118 per square foot; both numbers are significantly below the respective national figures.
Well-rated schools in Abernathy ISD
Around 800 students attend Abernathy ISD, which earns an A-minus on Niche. “We have a great school system that excels in both academics and sports,” Gallman says. “That’s because of the involvement of parents, educators and community leaders.” Abernathy Elementary has a Gifted & Learning program and a B-plus on Niche, while Abernathy Middle has an iPad lab and an A-minus. Abernathy High School has a student-teacher ratio of 9-to-1 and a B-plus. Texas Tech University is less than a half hour south and is rated an A, with an enrollment of over 40,000 students.
Highway travel between Lubbock and Plainview
The railroad that helped put Abernathy on the map, both literally and figuratively, ceased operations in the late 1990s. Today, residents get around in their own vehicles, and the town provides them with nearby access to the interstate to facilitate commutes to other cities in the area. Interstate 27 runs through the city’s east side and leads 28 miles north to Plainview or 18 miles south to Lubbock. “It’s more of a bedroom community,” Gallman says of Abernathy. “A lot of folks head into Lubbock for movies, shopping and entertainment – all of the things that Lubbock has to offer.” The 24-hour University Medical Center is directly west of Texas Tech, and the Lubbock Pearson Smith International Airport is on the city’s outskirts, about 15 miles from Abernathy.
Dollar stores, fast food chains and cheese rolls
While Lubbock generally has more shopping and dining options, Abernathy has a few storefronts of its own on the eastern side of town by the interstate. Local businesses include a florist, dollar stores and auto repair shops, as well as a John Deere tractor dealership. Local dining consists of the Mi Familia Mexican steakhouse, while Ricky’s On Main is famous for its cheese rolls. Fast food chains include Dairy Queen and Allsup’s, and Lowe’s Market is the city’s lone grocery store.
A community park right next to Antelope Stadium
Abernathy has a 42-acre community park on the west side of town that has playgrounds, picnic areas, a performance pavilion and a 5-acre fishing pond. It also has a half-mile walking trail, as well as sports fields for disc golf, softball and basketball. Families also like to cheer for their high school football team during the fall at Antelope Stadium.
